This page needs a volunteer to type the text found at http://lewisandclark.org/LCTHF2/Expedition_Timeline.html.<ref>Compiled by Jill Jackson with input from Gary Moulton, Don Peterson, Stephenie Ambrose Tubbs, Landon Jones, and Dick Smith, http://lewisandclark.org/LCTHF2/Expedition_Timeline.html</ref>

Ellicott writes to Jefferson – he has talked to Patterson and Henry Voigt about instruments.

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May 16

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Jefferson writes to Lewis, encloses a draft of his instructions about the Expedition.

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May 15

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Lewis dines with Dr. George Logan, visits Governor John Mckean.

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May 17

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Dr. Benjamin Rush writes a list of questions about Indians for Lewis.

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May 19

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Lewis dines with Henry Sheaff, a Philadelphia merchant.

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May 24

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Lewis has a “conference” with Mahlon Dickerson.

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May 29

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Lewis writes to Jefferson: most articles are purchased; Patterson has been busy for days; no time to study; sends sketches from Vancouver maps. Sees Wistar, Barton, Rush.

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May 31

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Lewis spends the evening with Governor Mckean.

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June 17

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Lewis leaves Philadelphia for Washington, D.C., he has arranged for wagon transport of goods to Philadelphia.

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June 19

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Lewis arrives in Washington, D.C. Lewis writes a letter to William Clark asking him to join Lewis on a trip to the Pacific.

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June 20

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Jefferson’s instructions to Meriwether Lewis for the Expedition are finalized.

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June 24

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Jefferson writes to Rush, informs him that Lewis will leave in 4-5 days.

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June 29

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Secretary of War Henry Dearborn authorizes the army paymaster to pay Lewis six-month’s pay for “one Lieutenant, one Sergeant, one corporal, and ten Privates.”

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July 2

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Lewis writes to his mother, he will leave “the day after tomorrow” for the “Western Country” and will not be able to see her before he departs.

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July 4

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Jefferson writes a letter of general credit for Lewis to use on the journey.

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July 5

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Lewis leaves Washington, D.C. for Harpers Ferry.

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July 8

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Lewis arrives at Harpers Ferry. Lewis writes to Jefferson that he will set out “in the course of an hour” and gives the route that he intends to travel: Charlestown, Frankfort, Uniontown, Redstone.

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July 14

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President Thomas Jefferson receives news of the Louisiana Purchase.

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July 15

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Lewis arrives in Pittsburgh at 2:00 p.m. Jefferson writes to Lewis to inform him of the treaty from Paris ceding Louisiana to the United States.

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July 18

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Clark accepts Lewis’ offer of a trip to the Pacific. Lewis received Clark’s letter on July 29.

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July 22

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Lewis writes to Jefferson from Pittsburgh, informs him of delay in keelboat construction, hopes to leave by August 5.

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August 3

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Lewis writes to Clark from Pittsburgh, has received Clark’s acceptance, only the boat construction detains him.

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August 31

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Keelboat is completed at 7:00 a.m. Lewis departs Pittsburgh at 10:00 a.m. and starts the descent of the Ohio River.

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September 8

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Lewis purchases a second pirogue to assist traveling on the Ohio River.

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Sept. 11

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First mention in the journals of Lewis’ dog, Seaman.

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Sept. 28

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Lewis and party reach Cincinnati, Ohio, purchase supplies. Lewis comments on low water in the Ohio River. He stays in the area for week. During this time, Lewis goes by land to the Big Bone Lick in Kentucky to view a mammoth skeleton.

Clark and crew arrive at Camp River Dubois (Wood River Camp) (present-day Illinois).

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=== 1804 ===

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March 10

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Captain Amos Stoddard, U.S. Army officer, takes possession of the Louisiana Territory for the United States in a ceremony at St. Louis. Lewis and Clark both present.

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== Expedition ==

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May 14

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Expedition leaves Camp River Dubois at 4:00 p.m. And starts up the Missouri River. Clark leads the men; Lewis is in St. Louis.

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May 16

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Clark leads the Expedition to St. Charles to await Lewis’ return from St. Louis.

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May 20

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Lewis joins the Expedition in St. Charles.

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May 21

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The entire Corps of Discovery departs St. Charles at 3:30 p.m. as St. Charles residents’ cheer.

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+

May 26

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The Captains organize the Expedition into three squads: Sergeants John Ordway, Nathaniel Pryor, and Charles Floyd. They name Corporal Richard Warfington as the future commander of the squad that will take the keelboat back to St. Louis.

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June 1

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Expedition reaches the Osage River.

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June 4

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The keelboat’s mast is broken-off by a tree branch overhanging the Missouri river.

Clark notes that York fascinates the Arikaras because they have never before seen a black man.

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October 10

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The Captains have a council with Arikara chiefs. York tells children he was “a cannibal” before Clark caught him.

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October 13

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Private John Newman is court martialed for “mutinous expressions” He is given 75 lashes, and will be sent back with Reed in the spring of 1805.

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October 14

+

Expedition reaches land that is present-day North Dakota.

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+

October 26

+

Expedition reaches the mouth of the Knife River, near Mitutanka, the first of the two Mandan Villages, near where they will spend the winter.

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October 27

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The boats move past Mitutanka to Ruptare, the second Mandan village, and sets up camp.

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+

October 29

+

The Captains meet and smoke a peace pipe with four Mandan, three Hidatsa, and several Arikara chiefs.

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November 2

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The Expedition determines the location of their winter camp, Fort Mandan (14 miles west of present-day Washburn, North Dakota).

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+

November 3

+

The French boatmen are discharged, except for Jean Baptiste Lepage, who is hired as a private to replace John Newman.

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November 4

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Touissaint Charbonneau hired as an interpreter. One of his Shoshone wives, Sacagawea, will join the Expedition.

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=== 1805 ===

+

+

January 1

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Two cannons are fired to celebrate the new year. Many of the Corps attends a dance with the Mandans.

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February 10

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Howard is court martialed for scaling the fence of the fort. Lewis suspends the sentence. It is the last court martial for the remainder of the trip.

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February 11

+

Jean Baptiste is born to Sacagawea and Touissaint Charbonneau.

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April 7

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4:00 p.m., the keelboat, commanded by Corporal Richard Warfington heads back to St. Louis with specimens and written information for President Jefferson. They includes a live prairie dog, four magpies, and a grouse.

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April 7

+

Expedition of thirty-one men (one a black slave), one woman, one baby and a dog starts up the Missouri River into uncharted territory.

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April 12

+

Expedition reaches the Little Missouri River, North Dakota.

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April 25-26

+

The Expedition reaches the mouth the Yellowstone River.

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April 27

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Expedition enters present-day Montana.

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May 8

+

Expedition reaches the Milk River, so named because it is the color of tea with a bit of milk. The Hidatsas call it, “The River which Scolds at All Others”.

Expedition arrives at Three Forks, the Missouri headwaters (near present-day Missouri River Headwaters State Park). They name the three rivers Gallatin, Madison, and Jefferson.

+

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August 8

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Expedition sees Beaverhead Rock (between present-day Twin Bridges and Dillon, Montana). Sacagawea recognizes the formation, indicating that it is near where the Shoshone spend their summers.

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August 12

+

Lewis and his party are the first American citizens to cross the Continental Divide at Lemhi Pass. His small party enters present-day Idaho.

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August 13

+

Lewis meets the Shoshone Indians near the Lemhi River.

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August 15

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Lewis leaves the Shoshone camp with several Indians on horseback to find Clark.

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August 17-24

+

Lewis is reunited with Clark and the main party. Sacagewea recognizes the Shoshone Chief Cameahwait as her brother. Part of the expedition spends a week at the junction of Horse Prairie Creek and Red River Rock (Camp Fortunate).

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August 18

+

Clark and 11 men leave camp Fortunate to “examine the Country” and to find timber to build canoes to take them to the Pacific Ocean. Most of the Indians leave with Clark. Sacagewea and Charbonneau accompany Clark as far as the Shoshone village.

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+

August 22

+

Cameahwait and about 50 men with a number of women and children, along with Sacagewea and Charbonneau, join Lewis at Camp Fortunate.

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August 26

+

The main party, along with most of the Shoshone, crosses back into Idaho, across the Continental Divide.

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August 26

+

Clark informs Lewis of the unsatisfactory reconnaissance of the Salmon River and lists three possible crossing of the mountains. He “advised the purchase of horses and the prusute of a rout he had learned from his guid who had promised to piolet ous to the road north &amp;c.”

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August 29

+

Clark joins Lewis at the upper Shoshone camp.

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August 30

+

Expedition heads north and the Shoshone headeast to the buffalo country. The Expedition is now traveling with40 horses and a guide.

Fort Clatsop was completed on the evening of this day. This would be the Expedition’s home for the next 3 1/2 months. Most of time was spent hunting for “poor” elk, trading for roots and other food, and making clothing for their return trip home.

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=== 1806 ===

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January 8

+

Clark and Sacagawea see whale skeleton on beach. The captain buys blubber and oil from Indians who were processing the whale.

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March 17

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Some of the men steal a canoe from the Clatsop Indians.

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March 23

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The Expedition departs Fort Clatsop by canoe to begin its return journey.

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April 10

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Expedition passes the Great Rapids of the Columbia.

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April 18

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Expedition reaches the Great Falls of the Columbia.

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April 20

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Transition from canoes to horses to begin return trek over the Rocky Mountains.

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April 28

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Expedition departs from present-day Oregon.

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May 5

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Expedition leaves Washington and crosses into present-day Idaho.

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May 14 – June 10

+

Camp Chopunnish, near present-day Kamiah, Idaho. Expedition remained there for nearly a month, tending sick Indians, hunting, and waiting for the mountain snows to melt.

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June 29

+

Expedition crosses Lolo Pass from Idaho back into present-day Montana.

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June 30 - July 3

+

Expedition camps again at Traveler’s Rest.

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July 3

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Expedition splits into two parties. Lewis proceeds up the Blackfoot River. Clark goes south up the Bitterroot River.

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July 6

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Clark’s group traverses Gibbon’s Pass (Continental Divide) Montana.

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July 7

+

Lewis’ party crosses the Continental Divide at present-day Lewis and Clark Pass.

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July 8-10

+

Clark’s party arrives at Camp Fortunate. They camp there for several days. They open their cache and for the first time since Christmas they have real tobacco.

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July 11

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Lewis and his party arrive at the White Bear Island area (Upper Portage Camp) near Great Falls, Montana.

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July 13

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Clark’s party reaches the Three Forks. Clark splits up with Ordway. Clark’s party will head to the Yellowstone River and Ordway’s party will head down the Missouri to join Lewis.

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July15

+

Last mention of Seaman, Lewis’ dog. Clark’s group reaches the Yellowstone River.

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July 16

+

Lewis takes three men to explore the Marias River; Drouillard, Joseph and Reubin Field. Sergeant Gass, Werner, Frazer, Thompson, McNeal and Goodrich work to recover materials from caches and to portage around the Falls.

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July 18

+

Lewis’ group reaches the Marias River.

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July 19

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Ordway (as well as Collins, Colter, Cruzatte, Howard, Lepage, Potts, Weiser, Whitehouse, and Willard) arrive at White Bear Island with six canoes. They join the Gass party and then head down the Missouri to meet Lewis.

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July 19-24

+

Clark’s group is building canoes above the Clark Fork of the Yellowstone, south of present-day Park City, Montana.

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July 21-27

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Gass/Ordway’s party portages the canoes around the five waterfalls, and departs from area near present-day Great Falls for the Marias River.

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July 21

+

Half of Clark’s 50+ horses are missing. He is “apprehensive that indians have Stolen our horses.”

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July 22-26

+

Lewis and three others at Camp Disappointment on the upper Marias (near present-day Cut Bank Creek).

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July 24

+

Clark’s party proceeds down the Yellowstone River after building two dugout canoes.

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July 24

+

Sergeant Pryor takes three men and the remaining horses and heads for the Mandan Villages.

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July 25

+

Clark scratches his name into the rock at Pompy’s</div> Tower (east of present-day Billings, Montana).

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July 25

+

Pryor’s party loses the remaining horses, borrowed by Crow Indians. They build two bullboats and try to catch Clark.

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July 26

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Clark’s group reaches the Big Horn River, Montana.

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July 26-27

+

Lewis’ group skirmishes with Blackfeet party at Two Medicine Creek. Two warriors are killed.

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July 28

+

Lewis party meets with the Ordway/Gass party near the confluence of the Marias and Missouri.

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July 29

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Clark’s group reaches the Tongue River, Montana.

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August 2

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Clark’s group reaches the Missouri River, depart Montana for North Dakota.

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August 3

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Clark’s group arrives at the mouth of the Yellowstone River.

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August 8

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Pryor’s party catches up with Clark’s party.

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August 11

+

Cruzatte accidentally shoots Lewis in the buttocks. Clark’s party encounters Dixon and Hancock, trappers, first whites they have seen since April 1805.

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August 12

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Lewis’ party rejoins Clark just above the mouth of the Little Knife River (in present-day North Dakota). Lewis’s last entry in his journals is a description of the pin, or bird, cherry.

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August 14

+

Expedition reaches the Mandan Villages.

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August 15

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John Colter is released from the Corps of Discovery to join two trappers (Dixon and Hancock) headed upriver.

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August 20

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Expedition leaves North Dakota, passes into present-day South Dakota on their return trip.

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September 1

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Expedition leaves South Dakota, passes into present-day Nebraska.

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September 4

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Expedition leaves Nebraska, passes into present-day Iowa.

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September 9

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Expedition leaves Iowa passes into present-day Missouri.

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Sept. 11

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Expedition leaves Nebraska, passes into present-day Kansas.

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Sept. 15

+

Expedition leaves Kansas.

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Sept. 23

+

Corps of Discovery arrives in St. Louis about noon after two years, four months and 10 days. They are home.

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== Post Expedition ==

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Sept. 23

+

Lewis and Clark stay with Pierre Choteau. Lewis writes to Jefferson.

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Sept. 24

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Lewis and Clark write letters and shop in St. Louis.

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Sept. 25

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Dinner and ball.

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Sept. 26

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Per Clark, they “commenced wrighting &amp;c.”

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October

+

Frazer’s prospectus advertising his journal is published. The journal is never published.

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October 21

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Lewis and Clark depart St. Louis.

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November 5

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Lewis and Clark are at Louisville, Kentucky.

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mid-Nov.

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Lewis leaves Clark at Frankfort, Kentucky.

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December 11

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Lewis writes to Sec. Dearborn from Staunton, Virginia.

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December 28

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Lewis arrives in Washington D.C.

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December 30

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President Jefferson receives Lewis and Sheheke, a chief of the Mandans.

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=== 1807 ===

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January 8

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A public reception for Clark is held at Fincastle, Virginia.

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January 10

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A reception is held at the White House for Lewis and Sheheke.

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January 15

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Lewis sends muster roll and comments to Sec. Dearborn.

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January 21

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Clark arrives in Washington.

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February 28

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Jefferson nominates Lewis to be Governor of Upper Louisiana, Clark as Lieutenant Colonel (Clarks was rejected).

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March 9

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Clark is appointed Agent for Indian Affairs for Louisiana.

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March 10

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Clark departs Washington D.C.

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Late March – Early April

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Lewis prospectus appeared from the press of John Conrad of Philadelphia (about April 1). It announced a work of two parts in three volumes, the first part the narrative and the latter the scientific observations and a compendium of twenty-three Indian vocabularies. The prospectus also appeared about this time in several other publications.

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March-April

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David M’Keehan, the editor of Gass’ journal, and Lewis exchange published letters about the various journals. Lewis denounces Gass’ journal as unauthorized.

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April

+

Gass’ journal, ''A Journal of the Voyages and Travels of a Corps of Discovery Under the Command of Capt. Lewis and Capt. Clarke of the Army of the United States'' is published by Zadok Cramer, edited by M’Keehan.

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April – July

+

Lewis is in Philadelphia.

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by May 1

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Clark is in St. Louis.

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by May 5

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Charles Wilson Peale finishes sketch for Lewis’ portrait.

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May 9

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Lewis calls on Barton in Philadelphia.

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May 22

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Clark is in council with Sioux chiefs at St. Louis

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May 23

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Party of Sioux, Pryor and Sheheke depart St. Louis towards the Mandan village.

| Ellicott writes to Jefferson – he has talked to Patterson and Henry Voigt about instruments.

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|-

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| May 16

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| Jefferson writes to Lewis, encloses a draft of his instructions about the Expedition.

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| May 15

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| Lewis dines with Dr. George Logan, visits Governor John Mckean.

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| May 17

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| Dr. Benjamin Rush writes a list of questions about Indians for Lewis.

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| May 19

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| Lewis dines with Henry Sheaff, a Philadelphia merchant.

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| May 24

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| Lewis has a “conference” with Mahlon Dickerson.

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| May 29

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| Lewis writes to Jefferson: most articles are purchased; Patterson has been busy for days; no time to study; sends sketches from Vancouver maps.&nbsp; Sees Wistar, Barton, Rush.

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| May 31

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| Lewis spends the evening with Governor Mckean.

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| June 17&nbsp;

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| Lewis leaves Philadelphia for Washington, D.C., he has arranged for wagon transport of goods to Philadelphia.

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| June 19&nbsp;

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| Lewis arrives in Washington, D.C.&nbsp; Lewis writes a letter to William Clark asking him to join Lewis on a trip to the Pacific.

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| June 20

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| Jefferson’s instructions to Meriwether Lewis for the Expedition are finalized.

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| June 24

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| Jefferson writes to Rush, informs him that Lewis will leave in 4-5 days.

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| June 29

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| Secretary of War Henry Dearborn authorizes the army paymaster to pay Lewis six-month’s pay for “one Lieutenant, one Sergeant, one corporal, and ten Privates.”

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| July 2

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| Lewis writes to his mother, he will leave “the day after tomorrow” for the “Western Country” and will not be able to see her before he departs.

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| July 4

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| Jefferson writes a letter of general credit for Lewis to use on the journey.

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| July 5&nbsp;

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| Lewis leaves Washington, D.C. for Harpers Ferry.

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| July 8&nbsp;

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| Lewis arrives at Harpers Ferry. Lewis writes to Jefferson that he will set out “in the course of an hour” and gives the route that he intends to travel: Charlestown, Frankfort, Uniontown, Redstone.

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| July 14

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| President Thomas Jefferson receives news of the Louisiana Purchase.

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| July 15&nbsp;

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| Lewis arrives in Pittsburgh at 2:00 p.m. Jefferson writes to Lewis to inform him of the treaty from Paris ceding Louisiana to the United States.

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| July 18&nbsp;

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| Clark accepts Lewis’ offer of a trip to the Pacific.&nbsp; Lewis received Clark’s letter on July 29.

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| July 22

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| Lewis writes to Jefferson from Pittsburgh, informs him of delay in keelboat construction, hopes to leave by August 5.

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| August 3

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| Lewis writes to Clark from Pittsburgh, has received Clark’s acceptance, only the boat construction detains him.

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| August 31&nbsp;

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| Keelboat is completed at 7:00 a.m. Lewis departs Pittsburgh at 10:00 a.m. and starts the descent of the Ohio River.

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| September 8

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| Lewis purchases a second pirogue to assist traveling on the Ohio River.

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| Sept. 11&nbsp;

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| First mention in the journals of Lewis’ dog, Seaman.

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| Sept. 28

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| Lewis and party reach Cincinnati, Ohio, purchase supplies. Lewis comments on low water in the Ohio River.&nbsp; He stays in the area for week.&nbsp; During this time, Lewis goes by land to the Big Bone Lick in Kentucky to view a mammoth skeleton.

| Captain Amos Stoddard, U.S. Army officer, takes possession of the Louisiana Territory for the United States in a ceremony at St. Louis. Lewis and Clark both present.

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| May 14

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| Expedition leaves Camp River Dubois at 4:00 p.m. And starts up the Missouri River. Clark leads the men; Lewis is in St. Louis.

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| May 16

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| Clark leads the Expedition to St. Charles to await Lewis’ return from St. Louis.

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| May 20

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| Lewis joins the Expedition in St. Charles.

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| May 21

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| The entire Corps of Discovery departs St. Charles at 3:30 p.m. as St. Charles residents’ cheer.

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| May 26

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| The Captains organize the Expedition into three squads: Sergeants John Ordway, Nathaniel Pryor, and Charles Floyd. They name Corporal Richard Warfington as the future commander of the squad that will take the keelboat back to St. Louis.

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| June 1

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| Expedition reaches the Osage River.

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|-

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| June 4

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| The keelboat’s mast is broken-off by a tree branch overhanging the Missouri river.

| The Expedition celebrates the Nation’s 28th birthday.&nbsp; A snake bites Joseph Field.&nbsp; All of the men receive an extra ration of whisky in celebration of Independence Day.

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|-

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| July11

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| Expedition reaches land that is present-day Nebraska.&nbsp; Willard is caught sleeping on guard duty.

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| July 12

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| Willard is convicted by a court martial and sentenced to 100 lashes.

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| July 18

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| Expedition reaches land that is present-day Iowa.

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| July 21

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| Expedition reaches the Platte River.

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| July 22-26

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| Expedition stays at Camp White Catfish, so named for the channel catfish caught by Goodrich.

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| July 23

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| Clark writes, “Sergt Floyd verry unwell a bad cold &amp;c.”&nbsp; This was the first mention of Floyd being ill.

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| August 1

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| Clark’s birthday. The expedition celebrates with the best cuts of elk and venison, a beaver tail, and various fruit.

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| August 2

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| At sunset, the captains meet with six Oto chiefs and some warriors to plan a council for the next day.&nbsp; Gifts are exchanged.

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| August 3

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| Lewis and Clark hold council with Oto and Missouri Indians at Council Bluffs.&nbsp; Peace medals are given, and the air gun is demonstrated. The Frenchman called La Liberte deserts.

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| Augus 4

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| Moses Reed leaves to retrieve his knife that was left at the council. He does not return.

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| August 6

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| Drouillard, Reubin Field, Bratton, and Labiche are sent to look for Reed and arrest him for desertion.

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| August 13-20

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| Fishing Camp.&nbsp; Clark and some men catch 318 fish on the 15th and Lewis with others catches about 800 on the 16th.

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| August 17

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| One of the men sent to catch Reed and the missing La Liberte returns to say that they caught both.&nbsp; The Frenchman got away again, but they are bringing in Reed.

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| August 18

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| Reed confesses to desertion.&nbsp; He is expelled from the Corps and made to run the gauntlet four times.&nbsp; He will be sent home in the spring of 1805.

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| August 19

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| Sergeant Floyd is very ill with an abdominal illness.

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| August 20

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| Sergeant Charles Floyd dies.&nbsp; He is buried on a bluff above the mouth of Floyd’s River (within present-day Sioux City, Iowa).&nbsp; He is the only member of the Expedition to die during the journey.

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| August 21

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| Expedition reaches land that is present-day South Dakota.

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| August 23

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| Joseph Field kills the Expedition’s first bison.&nbsp;

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| August 26

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| Patrick Gass is formally appointed as sergeant to replace Charles Floyd. George Shannon becomes lost.

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| Aug 29-31

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| The Corps meets with the Yankton Sioux.&nbsp; Council begins at noon on the 30th.

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| Sept.11

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| George Shannon is found.&nbsp; He is starving having run out of ammunition.&nbsp;

| Clark notes that York fascinates the Arikaras because they have never before seen a black man.

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|-

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| October 10

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| The Captains have a council with Arikara chiefs.&nbsp; York tells children he was “a cannibal” before Clark caught him.

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|-

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| October 13

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| Private John Newman is court martialed for “mutinous expressions” He is given 75 lashes, and will be sent back with Reed in the spring of 1805.&nbsp;

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|-

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| October 14

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| Expedition reaches land that is present-day North Dakota.

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|-

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| October 26

−

| Expedition reaches the mouth of the Knife River, near Mitutanka, the first of the two Mandan Villages, near where they will spend the winter.

−

|-

−

| October 27

−

| The boats move past Mitutanka to Ruptare, the second Mandan village, and sets up camp.

−

|-

−

| October 29

−

| The Captains meet and smoke a peace pipe with four Mandan, three Hidatsa, and several Arikara chiefs.

−

|-

−

| November 2

−

| The Expedition determines the location of their winter camp, Fort Mandan (14 miles west of present-day Washburn, North Dakota).

−

|-

−

| November 3

−

| The French boatmen are discharged, except for Jean Baptiste Lepage, who is hired as a private to replace John Newman.

−

|-

−

| November 4

−

| Touissaint Charbonneau hired as an interpreter.&nbsp; One of his Shoshone wives, Sacagawea, will join the Expedition.&nbsp;

−

|-

−

|&nbsp;

−

| '''1805'''

−

|-

−

| January 1

−

| Two cannons are fired to celebrate the new year. Many of the Corps attends a dance with the Mandans.

−

|-

−

| February 10

−

| Howard is court martialed for scaling the fence of the fort.&nbsp; Lewis suspends the sentence.&nbsp; It is the last court martial for the remainder of the trip.

−

|-

−

| February 11

−

| Jean Baptiste is born to Sacagawea and Touissaint Charbonneau.

−

|-

−

| April 7

−

| 4:00 p.m., the keelboat, commanded by Corporal Richard Warfington heads back to St. Louis with specimens and written information for President Jefferson.&nbsp; They includes a live prairie dog, four magpies, and a grouse.

−

|-

−

| April 7

−

| Expedition of thirty-one men (one a black slave), one woman, one baby and a dog starts up the Missouri River into uncharted territory.

−

|-

−

| April 12

−

| Expedition reaches the Little Missouri River, North Dakota.

−

|-

−

| April 25-26

−

| The Expedition reaches the mouth the Yellowstone River.

−

|-

−

| April 27

−

| Expedition enters present-day Montana.

−

|-

−

| May 8

−

| Expedition reaches the Milk River, so named because it is the color of tea with a bit of milk. The Hidatsas call it, “The River which Scolds at All Others”.

| Expedition arrives at Three Forks, the Missouri headwaters (near present-day Missouri River Headwaters State Park). They name the three rivers Gallatin, Madison, and Jefferson.

−

|-

−

| August 8

−

| Expedition sees Beaverhead Rock (between present-day Twin Bridges and Dillon, Montana). Sacagawea recognizes the formation, indicating that it is near where the Shoshone spend their summers.

−

|-

−

| August 12

−

| Lewis and his party are the first American citizens to cross the Continental Divide at Lemhi Pass. His small party enters present-day Idaho.

−

|-

−

| August 13

−

| Lewis meets the Shoshone Indians near the Lemhi River.

−

|-

−

| August 15

−

| Lewis leaves the Shoshone camp with several Indians on horseback to find Clark.

−

|-

−

| August 17-24

−

| Lewis is reunited with Clark and the main party. Sacagewea recognizes the Shoshone Chief Cameahwait as her brother.&nbsp; Part of the expedition spends a week at the junction of Horse Prairie Creek and Red River Rock (Camp Fortunate).

−

|-

−

| August 18

−

| Clark and 11 men leave camp Fortunate to “examine the Country” and to find timber to build canoes to take them to the Pacific Ocean.&nbsp; Most of the Indians leave with Clark.&nbsp; Sacagewea and Charbonneau accompany Clark as far as the Shoshone village.

−

|-

−

| August 22

−

| Cameahwait and about 50 men with a number of women and children, along with Sacagewea and Charbonneau, join Lewis at Camp Fortunate.&nbsp;&nbsp;

−

|-

−

| August 26

−

| The main party, along with most of the Shoshone, crosses back into Idaho, across the Continental Divide.

−

|-

−

| August 26

−

| Clark informs Lewis of the unsatisfactory reconnaissance of the Salmon River and lists three possible crossing of the mountains.&nbsp; He “advised the purchase of horses and the prusute of a rout he had learned from his guid who had promised to piolet ous to the road north &amp;c.”

−

|-

−

| August 29

−

| Clark joins Lewis at the upper Shoshone camp.

−

|-

−

| August 30

−

| Expedition heads north and the Shoshone head&nbsp;east to the buffalo country.&nbsp; The Expedition is now traveling with&nbsp;40 horses and a guide.

| Fort Clatsop was completed on the evening of this day.&nbsp;&nbsp; This would be the Expedition’s home for the next 3 1/2 months.&nbsp; Most of time was spent hunting for “poor” elk, trading for roots and other food, and making clothing for their return trip home.

−

|-

−

|&nbsp;

−

| '''1806'''

−

|-

−

| January 8

−

| Clark and Sacagawea see whale skeleton on beach. The captain buys blubber and oil from Indians who were processing the whale.

−

|-

−

| March 17

−

| Some of the men steal a canoe from the Clatsop Indians.

−

|-

−

| March 23

−

| The Expedition departs Fort Clatsop by canoe to begin its return journey.

−

|-

−

| April 10

−

| Expedition passes the Great Rapids of the Columbia.

−

|-

−

| April 18

−

| Expedition reaches the Great Falls of the Columbia.

−

|-

−

| April 20

−

| Transition from canoes to horses to begin return trek over the Rocky Mountains.

−

|-

−

| April 28

−

| Expedition departs from present-day Oregon.

−

|-

−

| May 5

−

| Expedition leaves Washington and crosses into present-day Idaho.

−

|-

−

| May 14–</div> June 10

−

| Camp Chopunnish, near present-day Kamiah, Idaho. Expedition remained there for nearly a month, tending sick Indians, hunting, and waiting for the mountain snows to melt.

| Expedition splits into two parties. Lewis proceeds up the Blackfoot River. Clark goes south up the Bitterroot River.

−

|-

−

| July 6

−

| Clark’s group traverses Gibbon’s Pass (Continental Divide) Montana.

−

|-

−

| July 7

−

| Lewis’ party crosses the Continental Divide at present-day Lewis and Clark Pass.

−

|-

−

| July 8-10

−

| Clark’s party arrives at Camp Fortunate. They camp there for several days.&nbsp; They open their cache and for the first time since Christmas they have real tobacco.

−

|-

−

| July 11

−

| Lewis and his party arrive at the White Bear Island area (Upper Portage Camp) near Great Falls, Montana.

−

|-

−

| July 13

−

| Clark’s party reaches the Three Forks.&nbsp; Clark splits up with Ordway. Clark’s party will head to the Yellowstone River and Ordway’s party will head down the Missouri to join Lewis.

−

|-

−

| July15

−

| Last mention of Seaman, Lewis’ dog. Clark’s group reaches the Yellowstone River.

−

|-

−

| July 16

−

| Lewis takes three men to explore the Marias River; Drouillard, Joseph and Reubin Field. Sergeant Gass, Werner, Frazer, Thompson, McNeal and Goodrich work to recover materials from caches and to portage around the Falls.

−

|-

−

| July 18

−

| Lewis’ group reaches the Marias River.

−

|-

−

| July 19

−

| Ordway (as well as Collins, Colter, Cruzatte, Howard, Lepage, Potts, Weiser, Whitehouse, and Willard) arrive at White Bear Island with six canoes. They join the Gass party and then head down the Missouri to meet Lewis.

−

|-

−

| July 19-24

−

| Clark’s group is building canoes above the Clark Fork of the Yellowstone, south of present-day Park City, Montana.

−

|-

−

| July 21-27

−

| Gass/Ordway’s party portages the canoes around the five waterfalls, and departs from area near present-day Great Falls for the Marias River.

−

|-

−

| July 21

−

| Half of Clark’s 50+ horses are missing. He is “apprehensive that indians have Stolen our horses.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

| Lewis prospectus appeared from the press of John Conrad of Philadelphia (about April 1).&nbsp; It announced a work of two parts in three volumes, the first part the narrative and the latter the scientific observations and a compendium of twenty-three Indian vocabularies. The prospectus also appeared about this time in several other publications.

−

|-

−

| March-April

−

| David M’Keehan, the editor of Gass’ journal, and Lewis exchange published letters about the various journals.&nbsp; Lewis denounces Gass’ journal as unauthorized.

−

|-

−

| April

−

| Gass’ journal, ''A Journal of the Voyages and Travels of a Corps of Discovery Under the Command of Capt. Lewis and Capt. Clarke of the Army of the United States'' is published by Zadok Cramer, edited by M’Keehan.

−

|-

−

| April – July

−

| Lewis is in Philadelphia.

−

|-

−

| by May 1

−

| Clark is in St. Louis.

−

|-

−

| by May 5

−

| Charles Wilson Peale finishes sketch for Lewis’ portrait.

−

|-

−

| May 9

−

| Lewis calls on Barton in Philadelphia.

−

|-

−

| May 22

−

| Clark is in council with Sioux chiefs at St. Louis

−

|-

−

| May 23

−

| Party of Sioux, Pryor and Sheheke depart St. Louis towards the Mandan village.

| Nicholas Biddle publishes the first edition of the journals, entitled, ”The History of the Expedition Under the Commands of Captains Lewis and Clark.”&nbsp; The author’s name on these volumes is Paul Allen.

−

|-

−

| 1893

−

| Elliott Coues publishes a reprint of the Biddle edition with the addition of footnotes on natural history and geography.

June 21
Jefferson orders Mackenzie’s book and Arrowsmith’s latest map of North America from James Cheetham of New York.

August 10-25
Benjamin Smith Barton, Philadelphia physician, naturalist, and botany professor, visits Jefferson; is NOT told about the proposed expedition.

Summer or Fall 1802
Jefferson informs Lewis that he would be in command of an Expedition to the Pacific.

November 21
Secretary of Treasury, Albert Gallatin letter received by Jefferson, advising him to make a secret request to Congress to fund the Expedition, rather than a part of his annual message to Congress.

December 2
Spanish minister Irujo writes to Madrid, says Jefferson asked him if Spain would object to a scientific expedition up the Missouri River. Later, Spain declines to issue Lewis a passport.

January 18
President Jefferson sends encrypted letter to Congress seeking funding for a proposed expedition.

February 27
Jefferson writes to Barton indicating that he has appointed Meriwether Lewis to head the Expedition to the Pacific.

February 28
Jefferson writes to Wistar that Lewis has learned how to calculate latitude and longitude.

February 28
Meriwether Lewis’ British passport is issued.

March 1
Meriwether Lewis’ French passport is issued.

March 14
Gallatin writes to Jefferson with two things of note: 1) He has issued a warrant for $2,500 for the Expedition and 2) he mentions a “manuscript transcribed from Mr. Thornton’s map by Captain Lewis.”

May 14
Ellicott writes to Jefferson – he has talked to Patterson and Henry Voigt about instruments.

May 16
Jefferson writes to Lewis, encloses a draft of his instructions about the Expedition.

May 15
Lewis dines with Dr. George Logan, visits Governor John Mckean.

May 17
Dr. Benjamin Rush writes a list of questions about Indians for Lewis.

May 19
Lewis dines with Henry Sheaff, a Philadelphia merchant.

May 24
Lewis has a “conference” with Mahlon Dickerson.

May 29
Lewis writes to Jefferson: most articles are purchased; Patterson has been busy for days; no time to study; sends sketches from Vancouver maps. Sees Wistar, Barton, Rush.

May 31
Lewis spends the evening with Governor Mckean.

June 17
Lewis leaves Philadelphia for Washington, D.C., he has arranged for wagon transport of goods to Philadelphia.

June 19
Lewis arrives in Washington, D.C. Lewis writes a letter to William Clark asking him to join Lewis on a trip to the Pacific.

June 20
Jefferson’s instructions to Meriwether Lewis for the Expedition are finalized.

June 24
Jefferson writes to Rush, informs him that Lewis will leave in 4-5 days.

June 29
Secretary of War Henry Dearborn authorizes the army paymaster to pay Lewis six-month’s pay for “one Lieutenant, one Sergeant, one corporal, and ten Privates.”

July 2
Lewis writes to his mother, he will leave “the day after tomorrow” for the “Western Country” and will not be able to see her before he departs.

July 4
Jefferson writes a letter of general credit for Lewis to use on the journey.

July 5
Lewis leaves Washington, D.C. for Harpers Ferry.

July 8
Lewis arrives at Harpers Ferry. Lewis writes to Jefferson that he will set out “in the course of an hour” and gives the route that he intends to travel: Charlestown, Frankfort, Uniontown, Redstone.

July 14
President Thomas Jefferson receives news of the Louisiana Purchase.

July 15
Lewis arrives in Pittsburgh at 2:00 p.m. Jefferson writes to Lewis to inform him of the treaty from Paris ceding Louisiana to the United States.

July 18
Clark accepts Lewis’ offer of a trip to the Pacific. Lewis received Clark’s letter on July 29.

July 22
Lewis writes to Jefferson from Pittsburgh, informs him of delay in keelboat construction, hopes to leave by August 5.

August 3
Lewis writes to Clark from Pittsburgh, has received Clark’s acceptance, only the boat construction detains him.

August 31
Keelboat is completed at 7:00 a.m. Lewis departs Pittsburgh at 10:00 a.m. and starts the descent of the Ohio River.

September 8
Lewis purchases a second pirogue to assist traveling on the Ohio River.

Sept. 11
First mention in the journals of Lewis’ dog, Seaman.

Sept. 28
Lewis and party reach Cincinnati, Ohio, purchase supplies. Lewis comments on low water in the Ohio River. He stays in the area for week. During this time, Lewis goes by land to the Big Bone Lick in Kentucky to view a mammoth skeleton.

May 14
Expedition leaves Camp River Dubois at 4:00 p.m. And starts up the Missouri River. Clark leads the men; Lewis is in St. Louis.

May 16
Clark leads the Expedition to St. Charles to await Lewis’ return from St. Louis.

May 20
Lewis joins the Expedition in St. Charles.

May 21
The entire Corps of Discovery departs St. Charles at 3:30 p.m. as St. Charles residents’ cheer.

May 26
The Captains organize the Expedition into three squads: Sergeants John Ordway, Nathaniel Pryor, and Charles Floyd. They name Corporal Richard Warfington as the future commander of the squad that will take the keelboat back to St. Louis.

June 1
Expedition reaches the Osage River.

June 4
The keelboat’s mast is broken-off by a tree branch overhanging the Missouri river.

July 4
The Expedition celebrates the Nation’s 28th birthday. A snake bites Joseph Field. All of the men receive an extra ration of whisky in celebration of Independence Day.

July11
Expedition reaches land that is present-day Nebraska. Willard is caught sleeping on guard duty.

July 12
Willard is convicted by a court martial and sentenced to 100 lashes.

July 18
Expedition reaches land that is present-day Iowa.

July 21
Expedition reaches the Platte River.

July 22-26
Expedition stays at Camp White Catfish, so named for the channel catfish caught by Goodrich.

July 23
Clark writes, “Sergt Floyd verry unwell a bad cold &c.” This was the first mention of Floyd being ill.

August 1
Clark’s birthday. The expedition celebrates with the best cuts of elk and venison, a beaver tail, and various fruit.

August 2
At sunset, the captains meet with six Oto chiefs and some warriors to plan a council for the next day. Gifts are exchanged.

August 3
Lewis and Clark hold council with Oto and Missouri Indians at Council Bluffs. Peace medals are given, and the air gun is demonstrated. The Frenchman called La Liberte deserts.

Augus 4
Moses Reed leaves to retrieve his knife that was left at the council. He does not return.

August 6
Drouillard, Reubin Field, Bratton, and Labiche are sent to look for Reed and arrest him for desertion.

August 13-20
Fishing Camp. Clark and some men catch 318 fish on the 15th and Lewis with others catches about 800 on the 16th.

August 17
One of the men sent to catch Reed and the missing La Liberte returns to say that they caught both. The Frenchman got away again, but they are bringing in Reed.

August 18
Reed confesses to desertion. He is expelled from the Corps and made to run the gauntlet four times. He will be sent home in the spring of 1805.

August 19
Sergeant Floyd is very ill with an abdominal illness.

August 20
Sergeant Charles Floyd dies. He is buried on a bluff above the mouth of Floyd’s River (within present-day Sioux City, Iowa). He is the only member of the Expedition to die during the journey.

August 21
Expedition reaches land that is present-day South Dakota.

August 23
Joseph Field kills the Expedition’s first bison.

August 26
Patrick Gass is formally appointed as sergeant to replace Charles Floyd. George Shannon becomes lost.

Aug 29-31
The Corps meets with the Yankton Sioux. Council begins at noon on the 30th.

Sept.11
George Shannon is found. He is starving having run out of ammunition.

January 1
Two cannons are fired to celebrate the new year. Many of the Corps attends a dance with the Mandans.

February 10
Howard is court martialed for scaling the fence of the fort. Lewis suspends the sentence. It is the last court martial for the remainder of the trip.

February 11
Jean Baptiste is born to Sacagawea and Touissaint Charbonneau.

April 7
4:00 p.m., the keelboat, commanded by Corporal Richard Warfington heads back to St. Louis with specimens and written information for President Jefferson. They includes a live prairie dog, four magpies, and a grouse.

April 7
Expedition of thirty-one men (one a black slave), one woman, one baby and a dog starts up the Missouri River into uncharted territory.

April 12
Expedition reaches the Little Missouri River, North Dakota.

April 25-26
The Expedition reaches the mouth the Yellowstone River.

April 27
Expedition enters present-day Montana.

May 8
Expedition reaches the Milk River, so named because it is the color of tea with a bit of milk. The Hidatsas call it, “The River which Scolds at All Others”.

May 20
Expedition reaches the Musselshell River. They name it the Sacagawea River.

May 26
Lewis reports seeing the Rocky Mountains.

May 31
Expedition passes through the White Cliffs area (present-day Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument).

June 2-12
Expedition finds the confluence of the Missouri and the Marias Rivers and must make a decision. They must decide which fork is the Missouri River.

June 13
Lewis finds the Great Falls of the Missouri River. This tells him that he is on the correct fork.

June 14
To his dismay, Lewis finds four additional falls. Lewis is charged by a grizzly bear and chased into the Missouri River.

June 16
Clark establishes the Lower Potage Camp below the mouth of Portage Creek (now named Belt Creek). Lewis administers water to an ailing Sacagawea from the Sulphur Springs (near present-day Great Falls, Montana).

June 18- July 12
Clark establishes the Upper Portage Camp about 3/4 miles north of Sand Coulee Creek near White Bear Islands. The camp is occupied until July 12.

June 22
First canoe begins the portage around the five waterfalls.

June 23-Jul 8
Various men work on Lewis’ experimental iron boat.

July 2
The last of the baggage is brought in off the plains, completing the portage.

July 4
A celebration is held at White Bear Islands. The last of the daily ration of rum is consumed (near present-day Great Falls, Montana).

July 25
Expedition arrives at Three Forks, the Missouri headwaters (near present-day Missouri River Headwaters State Park). They name the three rivers Gallatin, Madison, and Jefferson.

August 8
Expedition sees Beaverhead Rock (between present-day Twin Bridges and Dillon, Montana). Sacagawea recognizes the formation, indicating that it is near where the Shoshone spend their summers.

August 12
Lewis and his party are the first American citizens to cross the Continental Divide at Lemhi Pass. His small party enters present-day Idaho.

August 13
Lewis meets the Shoshone Indians near the Lemhi River.

August 15
Lewis leaves the Shoshone camp with several Indians on horseback to find Clark.

August 17-24
Lewis is reunited with Clark and the main party. Sacagewea recognizes the Shoshone Chief Cameahwait as her brother. Part of the expedition spends a week at the junction of Horse Prairie Creek and Red River Rock (Camp Fortunate).

August 18
Clark and 11 men leave camp Fortunate to “examine the Country” and to find timber to build canoes to take them to the Pacific Ocean. Most of the Indians leave with Clark. Sacagewea and Charbonneau accompany Clark as far as the Shoshone village.

August 22
Cameahwait and about 50 men with a number of women and children, along with Sacagewea and Charbonneau, join Lewis at Camp Fortunate.

August 26
The main party, along with most of the Shoshone, crosses back into Idaho, across the Continental Divide.

August 26
Clark informs Lewis of the unsatisfactory reconnaissance of the Salmon River and lists three possible crossing of the mountains. He “advised the purchase of horses and the prusute of a rout he had learned from his guid who had promised to piolet ous to the road north &c.”

August 29
Clark joins Lewis at the upper Shoshone camp.

August 30
Expedition heads north and the Shoshone headeast to the buffalo country. The Expedition is now traveling with40 horses and a guide.

September 3
Expedition crosses back into Montana west of Lost Trail Pass.

December 30
Fort Clatsop was completed on the evening of this day. This would be the Expedition’s home for the next 3 1/2 months. Most of time was spent hunting for “poor” elk, trading for roots and other food, and making clothing for their return trip home.

July 7
Lewis’ party crosses the Continental Divide at present-day Lewis and Clark Pass.

July 8-10
Clark’s party arrives at Camp Fortunate. They camp there for several days. They open their cache and for the first time since Christmas they have real tobacco.

July 11
Lewis and his party arrive at the White Bear Island area (Upper Portage Camp) near Great Falls, Montana.

July 13
Clark’s party reaches the Three Forks. Clark splits up with Ordway. Clark’s party will head to the Yellowstone River and Ordway’s party will head down the Missouri to join Lewis.

July15
Last mention of Seaman, Lewis’ dog. Clark’s group reaches the Yellowstone River.

July 16
Lewis takes three men to explore the Marias River; Drouillard, Joseph and Reubin Field. Sergeant Gass, Werner, Frazer, Thompson, McNeal and Goodrich work to recover materials from caches and to portage around the Falls.

July 18
Lewis’ group reaches the Marias River.

July 19
Ordway (as well as Collins, Colter, Cruzatte, Howard, Lepage, Potts, Weiser, Whitehouse, and Willard) arrive at White Bear Island with six canoes. They join the Gass party and then head down the Missouri to meet Lewis.

July 19-24
Clark’s group is building canoes above the Clark Fork of the Yellowstone, south of present-day Park City, Montana.

July 21-27
Gass/Ordway’s party portages the canoes around the five waterfalls, and departs from area near present-day Great Falls for the Marias River.

July 21
Half of Clark’s 50+ horses are missing. He is “apprehensive that indians have Stolen our horses.”

July 22-26
Lewis and three others at Camp Disappointment on the upper Marias (near present-day Cut Bank Creek).

July 24
Clark’s party proceeds down the Yellowstone River after building two dugout canoes.

July 24
Sergeant Pryor takes three men and the remaining horses and heads for the Mandan Villages.

July 25
Clark scratches his name into the rock at Pompy’s</div> Tower (east of present-day Billings, Montana).

July 25
Pryor’s party loses the remaining horses, borrowed by Crow Indians. They build two bullboats and try to catch Clark.

July 26
Clark’s group reaches the Big Horn River, Montana.

July 26-27
Lewis’ group skirmishes with Blackfeet party at Two Medicine Creek. Two warriors are killed.

July 28
Lewis party meets with the Ordway/Gass party near the confluence of the Marias and Missouri.

July 29
Clark’s group reaches the Tongue River, Montana.

August 2
Clark’s group reaches the Missouri River, depart Montana for North Dakota.

August 3
Clark’s group arrives at the mouth of the Yellowstone River.

August 8
Pryor’s party catches up with Clark’s party.

August 11
Cruzatte accidentally shoots Lewis in the buttocks. Clark’s party encounters Dixon and Hancock, trappers, first whites they have seen since April 1805.

August 12
Lewis’ party rejoins Clark just above the mouth of the Little Knife River (in present-day North Dakota). Lewis’s last entry in his journals is a description of the pin, or bird, cherry.

August 14
Expedition reaches the Mandan Villages.

August 15
John Colter is released from the Corps of Discovery to join two trappers (Dixon and Hancock) headed upriver.

August 20
Expedition leaves North Dakota, passes into present-day South Dakota on their return trip.

September 1
Expedition leaves South Dakota, passes into present-day Nebraska.

September 4
Expedition leaves Nebraska, passes into present-day Iowa.

September 9
Expedition leaves Iowa passes into present-day Missouri.

Sept. 11
Expedition leaves Nebraska, passes into present-day Kansas.

Sept. 15
Expedition leaves Kansas.

Sept. 23
Corps of Discovery arrives in St. Louis about noon after two years, four months and 10 days. They are home.

January 8
A public reception for Clark is held at Fincastle, Virginia.

January 10
A reception is held at the White House for Lewis and Sheheke.

January 15
Lewis sends muster roll and comments to Sec. Dearborn.

January 21
Clark arrives in Washington.

February 28
Jefferson nominates Lewis to be Governor of Upper Louisiana, Clark as Lieutenant Colonel (Clarks was rejected).

March 9
Clark is appointed Agent for Indian Affairs for Louisiana.

March 10
Clark departs Washington D.C.

Late March – Early April
Lewis prospectus appeared from the press of John Conrad of Philadelphia (about April 1). It announced a work of two parts in three volumes, the first part the narrative and the latter the scientific observations and a compendium of twenty-three Indian vocabularies. The prospectus also appeared about this time in several other publications.

March-April
David M’Keehan, the editor of Gass’ journal, and Lewis exchange published letters about the various journals. Lewis denounces Gass’ journal as unauthorized.

April
Gass’ journal, A Journal of the Voyages and Travels of a Corps of Discovery Under the Command of Capt. Lewis and Capt. Clarke of the Army of the United States is published by Zadok Cramer, edited by M’Keehan.

April – July
Lewis is in Philadelphia.

by May 1
Clark is in St. Louis.

by May 5
Charles Wilson Peale finishes sketch for Lewis’ portrait.

May 9
Lewis calls on Barton in Philadelphia.

May 22
Clark is in council with Sioux chiefs at St. Louis

May 23
Party of Sioux, Pryor and Sheheke depart St. Louis towards the Mandan village.

June19
Lewis meets with the American Philosophical Society.

July 17
Lewis again meets with the American Philosophical Society.

After July 17
Clark goes to his home in Kentucky.

August 5
Final financial record of the Expedition, cost was $38,722.25.

1814
Nicholas Biddle publishes the first edition of the journals, entitled, ”The History of the Expedition Under the Commands of Captains Lewis and Clark.” The author’s name on these volumes is Paul Allen.

1893
Elliott Coues publishes a reprint of the Biddle edition with the addition of footnotes on natural history and geography.